Bill Text: NY J00189 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2021, as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-01-26 - ADOPTED [J00189 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00189-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 189

BY: Senator BIAGGI

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        January  2021,  as  Slavery  and  Human  Trafficking
        Prevention Month in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months  that  are  set  aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  January  2021,  as
Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York,
in  conjunction  with  the  observance  of  National  Slavery  and Human
Trafficking Prevention Month; and

  WHEREAS, In 2007, an interagency task force was  created  which  was
dedicated  to  evaluating  the current circumstances of the existence of
human trafficking in the State of New York, with the lasting resolve  to
bolster  existing response infrastructures, while creating strategies to
aid victims and increase public awareness of the  issue,  including  and
beyond the recognition of Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month;
and

  WHEREAS,  Beginning  in  2010,  by  Presidential  Proclamation, each
January has been designated as National Slavery  and  Human  Trafficking
Prevention Month; and

  WHEREAS,   Following   the  start  of  National  Slavery  and  Human
Trafficking  Prevention  Month,  with   the   help   of   non-government
organizations,  National  Human  Trafficking  Day  began and is observed
annually on January 11th; and

  WHEREAS, The State of New York, was, in 2018, the state  fourth-most
plagued by the scourge of sexual and labor trafficking of individuals of
all   ages,   as   recognized   by   the   Polaris  Project,  a  leading
non-government,  non-profit  voice  in  the  global  march  towards  the
eradication of human trafficking, which equates with modern slavery; and

  WHEREAS,  The  number of sexual and labor trafficking cases reported
each year continues to grow as more light  is  given  to  the  issue  by
various  actors  in  New  York, across the United States, and around the
globe; and

  WHEREAS, In 2018, 492 cases of human trafficking  were  reported  to
the  Human  Trafficking  Hotline in the State of New York, which is more
than 4% of the 10,949 cases reported across the United States; and

  WHEREAS, The scope and magnitude of the issue of slavery  and  human
trafficking is yet to be known, both domestically and abroad; and

  WHEREAS,  Human Trafficking Awareness Month was implemented to raise
awareness among Americans that human trafficking does not just happen in

other countries, but in states and communities across the United States;
and

  WHEREAS,  It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate slavery and human
trafficking at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore,  be
it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  January  2021,  as
Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the State of New York;
and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.